5 Years Of Early Retirement: Finances, What’s Changed And What’s Next?

by A Purple Life, posted in Early Retirement, Early Retirement Updates, Finance, Investing, Net Worth Update, Spending, Travel

How have I now been retired longer than I held my longest job? Longer than I was in college? Literally how 🙂 ? I have no idea, but it’s true. Time is flying and I’m celebrating completing Year 5 of my early retirement!

So to commemorate the end of my 5th retired year and get pumped for the 6th, I wanted to go over where I’ve been, what I’ve spent, any revelations I’ve had, and what’s next in retirement 🙂 . Let’s get into it!

Continue reading “5 Years Of Early Retirement: Finances, What’s Changed And What’s Next?” →

The Month Of Iceland: September 2025 Recap

by A Purple Life, posted in Early Retirement, Early Retirement Updates, Finance, Net Worth Update

I’m writing this while looking at the sun rising over Iceland as adorably short legged Icelandic horses graze in my front yard and a variety of birds start their day playing in the lake nearby. Literally, what is my life?!? But before I get ahead of myself, let’s see what I got up to this month.
Continue reading “The Month Of Iceland: September 2025 Recap” →

Review: Singapore Air Economy Class – Tokyo, Japan to LAX for $44

by A Purple Life, posted in Finance, Reviews, Spending, Travel, Travel Hacking, Travel Reviews

We’ve finally reached the end of my “flying around Asia and Oceania on points” saga. This is the last flight I took in that batch that I booked with Singapore KrisFlyer points, which all together allowed me to spend the first quarter of 2025 galavanting around Japan and New Zealand while spending a total of $160.06 USD on international flights. Madness 🙂 . 

Continue reading “Review: Singapore Air Economy Class – Tokyo, Japan to LAX for $44” →

Review: Journey By Mediavine – An Awesome Ad Network For Websites With 10,000 Sessions

by A Purple Life, posted in Blogging, Hobbies

When I started sharing this blog 7 years ago, Mediavine was the gold standard ad network, the one most bloggers strove towards. They seemed to have the least annoying ads, the best customer service and the highest revenue. Continue reading “Review: Journey By Mediavine – An Awesome Ad Network For Websites With 10,000 Sessions” →

Review: Stonehenge & The Cotswolds Tour From Bath, England

by A Purple Life, posted in Reviews, Spending, Travel, Travel Reviews

This summer I returned to the UK for the first time in about a decade and this was my Partner’s first time in the country of countries. His mother absolutely loves visiting the UK and her favorite part is the Cotswolds.

So one of my goals during our stay in Bath was to visit the smaller towns in the Cotswolds (I later learned that Bath itself is technically in the Cotswolds, but has a very different vibe since it’s a much bigger city). Continue reading “Review: Stonehenge & The Cotswolds Tour From Bath, England” →

MY PARTNER IS RETIRING!!!

by A Purple Life, posted in Early Retirement, Finance, Guest Posts, Jobs, Relationships

I have a surprise for y’all today 🙂 . My Partner has popped onto this blog from time to time to answer y’alls questions and talk about hitting his FIRE number and today he’s here to talk about how he’s finally retiring!!!  

I’m so excited for him! So here are all the deets, straight from the man himself. Continue reading “MY PARTNER IS RETIRING!!!” →

The Month Of Bath: August 2025 Recap

by A Purple Life, posted in Blogging, Early Retirement, Early Retirement Updates, Film, Finance, Fitness, Food, Hobbies, Investing, Keto, Net Worth Update, Spending, Travel

Hello from the rolling hills of the English countryside 🙂 . I’m writing this while sitting in my garden listening to new-to-me birdsongs and feeling the sun on my face. Let’s see what I got up to in August!
Continue reading “The Month Of Bath: August 2025 Recap” →

Slow Travel Review: Amsterdam, The Netherlands – The Land Of Canals and Bikes

by A Purple Life, posted in Budget Check-In, Finance, Food, Reviews, Slow Travel Reviews, Spending, Travel, Travel Reviews

Since I retired in 2020 and started traveling the world, I’ve had a goal to only visit places that are 70F and sunny. My mood is instantly improved in sunny weather and a temperature that’s not too hot and not too cold makes exploration infinitely more comfortable.

So why did I live in The Netherlands for a month in the winter of 2024 🙂 ? I was in Amsterdam from early November to early December and I’m very glad I decided to break my rule and explore this beautiful city during those months. Let’s jump into why.

Continue reading “Slow Travel Review: Amsterdam, The Netherlands – The Land Of Canals and Bikes” →